The beginning of another key week in thesurvival of the eurozone kept investors on edge during an otherwise lacklustresession for the London market.

Greece's prime minister Antonis Samaras is
due to visit Germany and France, where he is expected to ask for an extension
on Greece's deadline to meet fiscal targets as it carries out painful reforms.

The meetings come as Greek officials look
to finalise 11.5 billion euros (£9 billion) in spending cuts necessary for it
to continue receiving the international funding that is protecting it from
bankruptcy.

A poor session in Asia also contributed to
the weak trading performance in London, with the FTSE 100 Index 10.4 points
lower at 5842.1 but still close to the four-month highs enjoyed in recent days.

Lloyds Banking Group, whose shares have
risen by a third since June, led a rally for the banking sector. It rose 0.8p
to 35p, while Barclays followed with a gain of 2.95p to 195.8p and Royal Bank
of Scotland lifted 1.8p to 233.4p.

In the FTSE 250 Index, shares in platinum
miner Lonmin fell another 4% - off 26.5p to 613p - as fears grew over the
financial impact of strikes at its flagship operations in South Africa. It was
reported over the weekend that Lonmin is considering a £640 million rights
issue.

There was little respite for the company
today after three-quarters of staff failed to turn up to work in the wake of
the violence that claimed the lives of 34 people.

Meanwhile, Bovis Homes was 2% higher after
it doubled its half-year dividend to 3p and forecast further strong growth in
the wake of a 100% rise in interim profits to £16.2 million.

Shares rose 9.75p to 502.75p as Numis
Securities increased its full-year profits forecast from £46.6 million to £50
million.

Elsewhere in the second tier, Argos owner
Home Retail Group rallied 4% - up 3.9p to 96.85p - after Deutsche Bank removed
its sell rating on the stock.

The broker is encouraged by the company's
most recent trading update and said a strategic review later this year could
offer some support to the shares.